He shook his head with a grin on his face.
''It wasn't needed.''
Niko saw as she felt her neck, which still was a tad red. He hung his head, ashamed that he had done such a thing to his very own wife. Was he no better than Elthor? He remembered his anger after seeing what Elthor had done. What Niko had now down.
He reached out and touched her neck, feeling guilty, still not able to meet her eyes.

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She took his hand that touched her neck and kissed his palm. "My darling Niko, you can meet my eyes without shame, and in my eyes you will see no anger. You were not yourself. You would bot have done that had you been yourself." she cupped his chin with her hand and turned his face up so he met her gaze "You see no anger, and no fear. Only love and concern."

''It is the second time I have done such a thing. Causing us to lose our child again and both times I have hurt you''
He didn't know where the moods came from or what they meant. He only knew that they were not good and put Nienna in danger.
''I am sorry''

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"You are not to blame for losing the child, Niko. Listen and harken to my words, please, there is nothing, nothing you could have done. You do not need to blame yourself, and I do forgive you, even though there is nothing to forgive. Neither of us know why this has happened, and ignorance as to what to do is not a reason for self blame." she caressed his face, now cupping it with both hands.

He nodded, still not entirely sure what he believed.
''One day, love. We shall have a child. The gods themselves will not stop us''
He held her hands to his face and kissed them both before speaking.
''If such a mood takes me, I want you to promise me that you will defend yourself against me. I wish you to hit me if I attempt to do you harm.''
Continuing before she could reply he added '' Know that you hitting me would bring me far less pain and shame than you being hurt by my hands. Promise me, love. Please''

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She didn't want to. She could never imagine hurting him, but she could see it was important to him, so she nodded. "Alright, love..." she really didn't want to. Her spoken words bound her, though, to it. She hoped the mood would not take him again, oddly, it seemed only to come with the pain now.

He gave her a small smile at her words.
''Not my face though, It wouldn't do to damage a work of art'' he said, poking her in the side playfully.
He took her hand and his voice found a more serious tone. ''Thank you , love. I shall hold you to your word''
Niko picked up a cup of ale and handed it to her getting another cup for himself.
''To my loving wife, who will beat me senseless should I attempt to beat her'' he said raising his glass with a laugh.

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She could not help chuckling a bit, but her humor was far less lived than his. She sipped the ale, wondering what she could do. These black moods had never shown up before she had slipped away that night to get information for Halrohir. Was it her? The horror struck her then. Had she somehow caused it? She winced at the thought.

''What is on your mind?'' he could see the troubled look in her eye. His arm reached out to lightly touch her shoulder. ''Are you well?'' Niko set down his cup of ale and brought her into an embrace.

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"Yes, love." although she was distracted. Maybe she had awoken some dark unknown thing when she slipped away? The guilt hit her like a knife. If she had just explained what she was doing, maybe things would be different. "I did ruin you..." it was hardly audible, and she had not meant to say it. She did not even realize she had said it.

Niko was dumfounded.
''Ruin me? Love, you have saved me.So many times. I died in your arms and you brought me back.''
He tilted her chin up so she would look at him, and he kissed her.
''You are my guardian angel. I will not and do not need to explain why. I am yours''

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She blinked she had spoken outloud? As he spoke to her, she wasn't sure what to think. "If I had not gone away that night without telling you..." she couldn't continue, and moved her face from his hand in shame.

''This is not your doing. You are blaming yourself over nothing, with this.''
He stood up and put his clothes on and pulled her up with him.
''Let's go for a walk around our kingdom. Forget everything and enjoy ourselves in each others company.'' He smiled at her, wanting her to join him.

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She nodded "Alright." she donned a a light dress, it was white in color. She took his arm as they left the house. Everyone that they passes bowed their heads in respect. It was new, this whole thing. She held his arm a little tighter.

As they walked, he noticed how everyone looked at them. He smiled at Nienna as she held him tighter.
''Our kingdom, love. Our people''
He led her to a bridge, where they could have a good view of the waterfall. It truly was magical.
''Le melon, angel''

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"Le melon, my king." she smiled at him and held both his hands in hers. This was where they were meant to be, she had no doubts. Fate had somehow fit them together, then made them rulers. "This is wonderful." she could only stare at the waterfall.